The local MP, and Minister for Public Health, Melanie Johnson declared the gates officially 'closed' as she threw a bowl of water from Mimmshall Brook at the construction. Local resident Peter Catchpole gave a speech thanking the MP, the contractors, and the workmen for the project. A plaque was unveiled by Melanie Johnson and Dave Wardle of the Environment Agency.

The flooding in October 2000. Warrengate Road is on the left, Mimmshall Brook on the right.Camera courtesy of Fujifilm

The only work remaining is a final surfacing of the area where the gates close.

The Environment Agency has had one practice run at setting out the signs warning people of the closed gates, closing the gates and roadside drain holes, and putting warning lights on the hooks on the closed gates.

They say they will have a few more practices to ensure they will get it right when it is done for real. It has not been decided yet how often they will practise this, but they will close the gates and drain holes along the roadway at least once a year to ensure they still function.

A photogallery has been put together showing the site taken on 25 February 2004. You can discuss this issue in this site’s Forum.